Signal means for lifesaving equipment



Nov. 5, 1946. H. A; s. VAN DAALEN SIGNAL MEANS FOR LIFE SAVING EQUIPMENT Filed July 18, 1942 Patented Nov. 194-5 UNITE ST SIGNAL ,M'EAN S FOR LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT 1 Claim. 1

My present invention, in its broad aspect, has to do with improvements in signal lights of the type especially adapted for use with marine life Saving equipment, and to that end it is constructed to be securely but removably attached to the person carrying the light in a manner which will permit the light to be elevated on occasion or waved or the like to be visible at a distance, and furthermore it is designed to be waterproof and fire proof, .to be easily and quickly operated, and to be exceptionally sturdy and unlikely to get out of order. Especially is my signal light designed to be used with life saving suits and preservers of the type worn by seamen, and to that end it is constructed to conform to standards for equipment of this type set by organizations having to do with marine equipment.

Among the occasions for use of my signal light may be suggested circumstances surrounding the sinkings of vessels by mines and torpedoes where seamen oftentimes must jump into the sea and float around until picked up by a rescue crafttypes of life preservers and suits are provided for seamen for use under such circumstances and the requirements of a practical signal light to be used are many. For instance since fire may also be met with in addition to submersion in the sea for long lengths of time, a signal light must also be fire proof as well as water tight, and since rescue craft often operate under conditions of poor visibility, and the person in distress is at best difiicult to see, the light must be capable of being seen at quite some distance away, and to this end my present'signal light may be elevated in the hand of the person in distress. Furthermore since the person in distress is likely to be battered by wreckage and by the seas and the like, the signal light must be securely attached to his person, although the means of attachment must be such as will not be likely to cause leaks in the life saving equipment. In addition to all of these practical requirements it must be kept in mind that the person in distress is oftentimes in a weakened condition, or perhaps injured, so that manipulation of the light must be relatively simple and easy. My signal light is designed to meet the above and other practical requirements, and furthermore it is resistant to corrosion in salt water, has no fragile Or complicated parts; presents a smooth exterior unlikely to be caught on Ohstructions; is easy to operate; has dual means of attachment to the person carrying the light, and is otherwise a simple, practical and unique accessory for marine, as well as other uses.

Briefly stated, some of the objects and advantages of my invention are as follows; first, to provide a signal light for life preservers, life saving suits, and the like which is very light in weight, and which is substantially water, moisture and fire proof, and of durable yet simple construction; second, to provide dual means of attachment to a life preserver, life saving suit and the like whereby the light may be moved around without likelihood of becoming lost or disengaged, or may be moved from one piece of lifesaving equipment to another; third, (to provide means whereby the source of illumination will not become deranged or broken by jars or rough handling; fourth, to provide simple and efilcient means for turning the light on and off, and; fifth, to provide a simple, practical, efiicient and handy signal light having no parts likely to become deranged or broken, and which can be manufactured at relatively small cost.

Other and equally important objects and advantages will become apparent from the detailed description, but emphasis is laid upon the fact that interpretation of the scope of the invention shall only be conclusive when made in the light of the claim.

In the drawing wherein I have shown a preferred form of my invention Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the same;

Figure 2 is a transverse section;

Figure 3 is a view of the lens partly broken away;

Figure 4 is a view of the rubber guard member which may or may not be used; same being in cross-section;

Figures 5 and 5a are two views of the arbor;

Figure 6 is a view of the casing;

Figure 7 is a detailed top plan view of the clasp;

Figure 8 is a view of the bulb supporting plate;

Figure 9 is a view of the bottom plate which may or may not be used.

In the drawing wherein like characters of reference are used to designate like or similar parts;

The numeral I designates the cylindrical, hollow case which may be formed of a water and fire proof plastic material and which is screwthreaded at its top edge, while at the bottom suitable means 2 are provided for attaching a cord 3 having at its free end a safety pin 4; this cord is to permit movement of the light without danger or loss or detachment. Inside of the case I is a battery 5 pressed by the spring 6 which is held in place by an arbor 7substantially L- shaped in construction and having a lip 8 overlapping the top edge of the casing. The disc l3a fits in the bottom of case I between the arbor and the inner end of the card 3. A circular plate 9 rests on the top of the case to support a lamp or bulb H) which is prevented from wobbling or derangement by jars and the like by a spring HShWn in dotted lines in Figure 1 and over the bulb and screwthreadedly engaged with the casingis a lens I2 having a ribbed interior l3 and preferably cone shaped as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The lens may be red, and at its base is serrated to give a firm hand grip at M so that by turning the lens the light is turned on and off. If desired an annular, rubber or composition member I5 may be provided to assist in waterproofing the assembly, avoiding shocks, providing firmer grip or the like, but use of the same is not in all cases essential or desirable. The case is formed with upstanding spaced lugs I6 at the side and parallel rows of teeth l1; the lugs being formed with journal openings supporting a pin l8. Mounted on the pin I8 is a clasp member 19 having a serrated or toothed clamping jaw 20 engaging between teeth I! and a handle part 2|; the same is spring pressed as at 22 and normally engages a part of the clothing to support the assembly.

In operation the light is attached to the life preserver or life saving suit and is turned on and off by turning the lens. It may however be unclasped and raised in the hand, in which case loss or detachment is prevented by the cord and safety pin attaching means 4. It will be noted that the signal light issimple and practical and amass 4 has a relatively smooth exterior surface and is light and of waterproof and fireproof construction, and all parts are made of non-corrosive or corrosive resistant material.

While I have described my invention in detail in the foregoing, the scope of my invention is only to be determined from the claim, and changes in form, size, shape, arrangement and assembly of parts may be made to conform to varying dictates of practice provided such changes fall Within the purview of what is claimed.

I claim:

A waterproof, signal light designed to be removably attached to life saving equipment, comprising a battery and a lamp in circuit therewith, a casing having an open end and housing the battery, a cavitated lens housing the lamp and disposed to form a closure for the open end of the casing, the ponnection between the lens and casing being threaded and substantially waterproof, switch means disposed to be operated by manipulation of the lens, spring means for urging the battery toward the lamp, a collar-like means frictionally engaged with the lens and casing about the point of connection between the lens and casing to insure full waterproofing of such connection and an L-shaped arbor in the casing and engaging the spring and extending upwardly toward the lens alongside the battery and between the battery and easing.

HENRY A. S. VAN DAALEN. 

